The research carried out by our project group led to the better understanding of numerous phenomena in the field of soft matter physics and thus enabled the development of an important sector of physics and material sciences in Slovenia. It is particularly important that the research of complex and composite materials and their applications can be relatively easy transferred into the rapidly growing technological fields spreading from electro-optics to nano and bio technologies. Our research was carried out in collaboration with a number of research groups in European countries and in the U.S.A. Its internationally competitive level helped us to become partners in several international projects yielding about 600 000 EUR in last few years. The project that comprises theoretical modeling, experimental research, and as well applied research is extremely suitable for teaching Ph. D. students how to transfer knowledge in new technologies. It should be stressed that we are also successful in attracting foreign students. In addition to the indirect effects our program has also a direct impact on a segment of Slovenian industry. The Jozef Stefan Institute "spin-off" company Balder, based on the knowledge of confined liquid crystals acquired in the fundamental research within our group, is covering by now 15% of the special light modulators and active optical filters for the professional world welding market. Recently Balder introduced the new generation of the LC active welding filters, which represent the significant improvement compared to the best competitive products.